The Resurrection and the Life

Some of you followed the blog for Megan Smith's fight against leukaemia after she gave birth to her daughter:
http://prayersformegan.com/

There were so many ups and downs, and so many giving support and prayers. And we were all so griefstricken when she ultimately lost the battle.

Ryan grew up in our ward, and his family still lives here. The daughter, Rylee, came back with Ryan's parents at one point. Rylee is truly a miracle child, born under tragic circumstances.

I was asked to conduct the graveside service here in Oregon last week. It was a gray and wet day, and so sobering to see the white casket with Megan's remains poised to go into the ground. I gave the concluding remarks at the service, which I am including here.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:19: For if in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable.
We have cause to be miserable. We are griefstricken by the loss of such a vibrant and good person as Megan. Anyone who knew her was immediately impressed with her energy, her charisma, her goodness.
We suffered and prayed along with her and her family during her struggle against cancer, and mourn at the tragic loss.
But because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because of our hope in Christ, we can rejoice. Christ won a victory over death. He gave his life on the cross at Calvary and rose from the grave on the third day.
Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

We can take comfort in knowing that, while we lay her tabernacle of clay into this mortal grave, her spirit, free from physical pain and suffering, has returned to her Father in Heaven who gave her life and begat her spiritually, for indeed we are all begotten sons and daughters of God. I can imagine she had and continues to have a joyful reunion in paradise with loved ones who have gone before her and welcomed her home.
And we are confident that Megan’s spirit will be reunited with a perfect and immortal body to come forth in the first Resurrection, and that we will one day be reunited with her.
Christ said in John 11:25: I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live
That is my testimony, and that is the good news of the Gospel.